Paragraph 155

This station is also one of the signs of the Day of Revelation; even as it is said: “The abased amongst you, He shall exalt; and they that are exalted, He shall abase.” And likewise, He hath revealed in the Qur’án: “And We desire to show favor to those who were brought low in the land, and to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make of them Our heirs.” It hath been witnessed in this day how many of the divines, owing to their rejection of the Truth, have fallen into, and abide within, the uttermost depths of ignorance, and whose names have been effaced from the scroll of the glorious and learned. And how many of the ignorant who, by reason of their acceptance of the Faith, have soared aloft and attained the high summit of knowledge, and whose names have been inscribed by the Pen of Power upon the Tablet of divine Knowledge. Thus, “What He pleaseth will God abrogate or confirm: for with Him is the Source of Revelation.” Therefore, it hath been said: “To seek evidence, when the Proof hath been established is but an unseemly act, and to be busied with the pursuit of knowledge when the Object of all learning hath been attained is truly blameworthy.” Say: O people of the earth! Behold this flamelike Youth that speedeth across the limitless profound of the Spirit, heralding unto you the tidings: “Lo: the Lamp of God is shining,” and summoning you to heed His Cause which, though hidden beneath the veils of ancient splendor, shineth in the land of ‘Iráq above the dayspring of eternal holiness.

 

When we read this paragraph, there were so many things that came to mind. We wanted to ask, initially, which station is being referred to in in the first phrase, and then go on and cite the examples that came to mind with the rest of the paragraph. We wanted to talk about the fishermen that Jesus called forth to become saints. We wanted to mention the Sifter of Wheat who responded so swiftly to the call of Mulla Husayn.

But honestly, this all paled in comparison to a point that came up in our discussion, which was just how many people we knew who seemed to be afraid of diving into this book. They say that it is too difficult for them, that they aren't educated enough, or that the language is too lofty.

Honestly, all of this is, as Samuel says, "Hogwash."

To start, the station referred to comes from the previous sentence: "the most unlettered of all men... is accounted as one of those divinely learned men whose knowledge is of God".

Baha'u'llah wrote for all people, the educated and the un-, the high and the low. He wrote for all of us.

When He says that the abased shall be exalted, that the ignorant shall attain the summit of knowledge, this is part of what He means.

When you have study groups, the light of consultation brings forth truths that you would never find on your own. Their insights become your insights. Your understanding adds to theirs. There is no longer a single person in the community that leads others to truth. It is about community.

The two of us, Samuel and Mead, who are writing this blog, embarked on this study because we were friends. And it is through the study of this book over so many years that our friendship has grown and blossomed. This is what the Word of God does. It brings us together and helps elevate us, both our hearts and our minds.

The next part of the paragraph says "To seek evidence, when the Proof hath been established" is just downright silly. Ok, so we paraphrased a bit there, but you get the point. What does that mean, though? To us it means that once we are convinced of Baha'u'llah's station then to seek further proofs is pointless.

We are reminded of the story of Haji Muhammad-Tahir-i-Malmiri. He was in the presence of Baha'u'llah when he thought about a particular verse from the Qur'an. He said to himself, "If Baha'u'llah really is who he says he is, then let him cite this verse." As soon as he thought that, Baha'u'llah quoted that verse.

Haji Muhammad-Tahir-i-Malmiri was stunned. But then he had another thought. "What if that was just a coincidence?" At which point Baha'u'llah turned to him and said, "Was that not enough?"

When the proof has been given, move on. Accept it, and act on it.

"Lo: the Lamp of God is shining." Baha'u'llah is calling us to recognize, in this book, the Bab. And here He is also hinting at His own station, as He is the one "shining in the land of Iraq", at the time of His writing.